Govt urged to adopt Oxfam GALS approach in Parish Development Model

KAMPALA – Gender activists and human rightists have argued government to adopt Oxfam’s Gender Action Learning System [ GALS ] methodology in implementing the Parish Development Model [PDM].

The methodology tailored by Oxfam thrives on empowering girls, youth, and women in shaping their lives and influencing communities, through a gender action perspective.

At an event to close the GALS project that has run for four years in Kampala, the gender activists argued that once led by women, youth, and girls, the PDM would likely yield more in terms of community benefits and social changes.

Nancy Arwoth, 26, from Nebbi, argued that the methodology has enabled her to benefit from the knowledge and skills attained in the mentorship program. She said a small startup capital she used to start her business has now grown to Shs 5 million in three years.

“This GALS methodology has changed my life, and I have also been able to inspire and change the lives of other girls in my district,” she said.

After finishing her certificate course in Midwifery, Arwoth didn’t have money or a job, which forced her to enroll for training by Oxfam and she has not looked back since then.

“Today I am renting a maize and beans garden of 5 acres, I also have 26 goats and I also run a small drug shop, which I all attribute to Oxfam’s gals methodology project,” she said.

After four years of operation, the project was brought to its end, at a function where beneficiaries and activists argued that the government should incorporate the Oxfam methodology into the PDM.

State Minister for Disability Hellen Asamo, while speaking at the event in Kampala said the government is open to ideas especially those aligned to gender parity and others that empower communities in a smart and sustainable manner.

Asamo said the Gender Ministry has often interfaced with the gender action learning system methodology, adding that the adoption of the same would quite help dismantle the cultural beliefs and address the underlying structural issues that affect women’s financial and social empowerment.

“As government we are open to ideas that would help entrench the Parish Development Model to the common person. The GALS methodology works in villages, while the Parish Development Model works in Parishes. So we can work to merge this as your wish,” Minister Asamo noted.

She advised the beneficiaries of GALS that the end of the programme does not remove the knowledge and skills gained, urging them to continue working and inspiring others in their respective communities.

“Stopping the project does not take away the skills and knowledge attained. Please do not relent but continue working, train others and ensure you continue growing,” she said.

She revealed that her ministry has made great steps in integrating the Oxfarm GALS methodology into the PDM to have an impact to the communities.

She mentioned other government programs like the restoration of livelihoods in Northern Uganda, financial inclusion project in rural areas under the Ministry of Finance, the National Oil farm project in Kalangala, Buvuma and Mayuge that have all been tailored along with the same model of GALS methodology.

Peace Chandru, the program officer at Oxfam, said the project is community-led and draws all gender together in equal proportionality and achieve collectively without necessarily overburdening any group right from the household level.

She added that it creates a high level of integrity among members especially when they are empowered, with close team monitoring at the village level, but also a gradual change of attitude towards saving among the youth.

“We have seen a change of attitude amongst the youth towards saving money in the groupings. Of course they complained that it’s time-consuming because youth would want fast things,” Chandru pointed out.

She disclosed that the project’s pioneer group in Pakwach district was formed in 2019 with a village savings component and was able to save at least Shs 11million  in the first year, adding that apparently, it has over Shs 36mln and is expected to raise up to Shs 52mln by the end of August 2022.

“The project has also improved the gender household relationships, especially after husbands were brought on board, there was increased household productivity, dialogue was restored in the homes,” She said.

The Gender Action Learning System GAL methodology has been running in the districts of Pakwach, Yumbe, Arua, Nebbi and Kasese for four years with an estimated reach of at least 1,000 households and several communities with a high degree of peaceful co-existence.

Arrangements are already underway in selected districts in West Nile to integrate the program into the government projects including the PDM to help scale it further.

https://thecooperator.news/minister-magezi-vouches-for-the-parish-development-model-program/

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